Chapter 11
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Ben asked as they left the hotel. If Clara said she’d changed her mind and wanted to go back up to their hotel room, he would totally do it, after a stop at a store to get condoms, of course.
“I do. I haven’t been to the zoo in years, and Charlee is a lot of fun.” Clara hooked her arm around his, her firm breasts pressing against his bicep. Immediately, his dick hardened at the touch.
Now that he’d admitted his need for her, he seemed to be in a constant state of arousal around Clara; something he needed to control.
He firmly pushed any thoughts of hustling Clara back to their room out of his mind.
When they’d woken up after their morning pleasure session, he’d mentioned about the zoo trip Reed and Lauren were taking and asked if Clara was interested in joining them.
Her immediate yes, warmed his soul. If he’d been with Fern she probably would’ve scrunched her nose in distaste at the idea.
Nope, no more thinking about Fern. She’s in the past. My future is with the woman beside me.
Ben believed that deep in his bones that, after the night they spent together, he and Clara were headed to spending the rest of their lives with each other.
“Charlee is a bundle of energy and I love spending time with her,” he finally said. “Alright, let’s do this.”
They headed toward Elizabeth Quay where they could ride the ferry across the beautiful Swan River that cut a swathe along the front of the city.
They’d then walk to the zoo and meet Reed, Lauren, and Charlee at the entrance.
Reed had responded to his text saying they would join them with a thumbs up emoji.
The journey from one side of the river to the other wasn’t long and soon they were reaching the zoo. A little squeal of excitement rent the air, the only warning Ben had before Charlee barreled into him.
“Uncle Ben! Uncle Ben! I’m so happy you’re here. Hi Clara!”
Charlee’s exuberant greeting wound its way around his heart, just like the little girl had.
He picked her up and hugged her tight. Over her shoulder he spied Reed and Lauren standing not far away.
Reed had a protective arm around Lauren’s shoulder, and she was leaning against him as if he was holding up the world, just for her.
Even from this distance he could see the love between them.
The invisible, but tangible thread that tightens and thickens over time.
He glanced at where Clara was standing next to him and the expression on her face was one he memorized but wished he had a camera to capture it. She looked at him like Lauren was gazing at Reed.
The world stopped, and the noise around him faded to nothing. He was aware of Charlee in his arms. Aware of her chatter, but wouldn’t have a clue of what she said if someone asked him to repeat it. His whole focus was on the woman he knew most of his life.
I love her. I love her so much, I can’t breathe.
Somehow he managed to put Charlee safely on the ground, and the second he was free of the little girl, he closed the short distance between him and Clara. He framed her face with his hands and slammed his lips over hers. He needed this connection between them as much as he needed to breathe.
It didn’t matter that they stood in front of the zoo with plenty of people milling about, some probably looking at them in disgust at their public display of affection.
There could be others that were sighing at the sight.
He didn’t care. All he wanted to do was hold her, kiss her, and pour everything he was feeling into the kiss.
Eventually, sensibilities returned and he pulled away, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he sucked much needed oxygen in.
“Ben?” she questioned softly.
The urge to blurt out that he loved her was overwhelming, but he didn’t want an audience around them when he confessed his feelings for the first time. Ironic considering he was more than happy to kiss her senseless in front of strangers.
“I needed that,” he responded simply.
As if she knew there was more to the kiss and understood his meaning, Clara nodded. “Me too.”
Smiling, he grabbed her hand and entwined their fingers together. “How about we see some animals?”
“Lead the way.” She laughed happily, and he loved being the reason for it.
“Why was Uncle Ben kissing Clara? Where’s Fern?” Ben heard Charlee’s questions as they got to where Reed and Lauren were standing.
“Charlee!” Lauren exclaimed before looking at him. “I’m so sorry. You don’t need to explain.”
Considering Lauren had been with Reed at the wedding, she would be well aware of what had gone down, but he was more than happy to explain it to his new niece.
He released Clara’s hand and squatted down in front of Charlee.
“I can answer that for you. Fern and I decided it wouldn’t be a good idea to get married.
And as for why Clara and I were kissing, we’ve known each other, and have been best friends for a long time. Things have changed between us.”
As far as explanations went it was fairly bare bones, particularly the change to his and Clara’s relationship, but he hoped it was enough for the little girl.
“Oh, okay. Are you going to marry her? Can I be your flower girl? I wanted to be one when you married Fern but she didn’t want me. I didn’t really like her, but you did, so I tried to.”
Ben’s mind whirled at the tirade of words that vomited from Charlee, and behind him Reed and Clara laughed, while Lauren groaned, clearly embarrassed with her daughter’s lack of filter. He winked at his sister-in-law. “Gotta give it to her, she says what’s on her mind.”
Lauren ruffled her daughter’s blonde hair and rolled her eyes. “Tell me about it.” She came up and gave him a hug, whispering in his ear. “For what it’s worth, you look happier today than I’ve ever seen you.”
He returned Lauren’s hug and thought over what she said. He was happier. He felt a million times lighter than he had a week ago. He’d had no idea that Fern cast such a shadow over his soul until it was swiped away.
“I think it’s time we took this inside and saw the animals, don’t you munchkin?” Reed asked as he picked up Charlee and twirled her, the little girl’s giggles infectious.
“Yes Daddy! We can see your family!” Her eyes wide with innocence but Ben suspected what she was about to say next would be far from innocent. “The monkeys!”
Reed mocked growled at his stepdaughter, and her giggles pitched even higher.
Clara sidled up to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. “This is what family is all about.”
Ben hugged her close. “It sure is.”
His feet ached, and he was hot, but Ben had the best day with Clara and his brother and family.
They’d visited every animal in the zoo. Charlee had a ride on the carousel while they all looked on.
Now the little girl was in Reed’s arms, resting her head on his shoulder.
It wouldn’t be long before she was napping, and Ben wished he could join her.
“Thanks for coming today, bro,” Reed said as he adjusted his hold on Charlee.
“I should be thanking you for inviting us. It’s been a good day.
” He paused as it hit him how little time he’d spent with his brother since he’d met Fern.
Granted Reed’s life had changed dramatically in the past few months, what with finding Lauren, getting shot, saving Lauren and Charlee from her demented ex, then getting married.
But he still should’ve made more time to do things with him.
They were all each other had left. Their parents died within months of each other.
“I’m sorry that it’s been a while since we’ve done something like this. ”
He didn’t need to say any more; Reed understood where he was coming from. “That’s the thing about families, Ben, we’re always there when we need each other. You’ve been there when I’ve needed you.”
“I know but let’s not ignore the fact that Fern did her best to keep my focus on her.”
“Maybe, but I knew if I needed you, you’d drop everything. And you did when I got shot.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Yeah, your second hospital stay, considering you busted your stitches saving your wife.”
Reed glanced over to where Lauren and Clara were laughing together. “Worth every moment. And I’d do it a million times over.” He faced Ben, his eyes serious. “And I’d do it for you too.”
“I know you would.” He gave Reed a one-armed hug. “I’ll call you in a couple of days and we can arrange to get together.”
“Sounds good. I’m glad you got your head out of your ass.” Spoken like only a brother could say to a brother.
“Meaning?” Ben queried, but had a good idea what Reed was alluding to.
“Clara. It took you long enough, and I’m glad you worked it out before you tied yourself permanently to Fern.”
The very idea that he was so close to fucking up his life had the ice cream Ben ate not long ago, threatening to come up again. “Me too. She was right in front of me and I didn’t even know it.”
With his free hand, Reed clapped him on the shoulder. “You did. You kept her close all these years because deep down you knew, but for whatever reason you weren’t able to pull the trigger. Now you have, and I know you haven’t regretted it.”
At that moment, Clara lifted her head and their gazes connected.
His heart swelled with love, and standing talking to his brother was the last thing he wanted to be doing.
“No regrets at all. I’ve made the best decision of my life.
” He enunciated the words so that, not only did Reed hear them, but Clara could understand them.
A slow smile spread across her face, highlighting her high cheekbones and, even from this distance, he could see the sparkle of happiness in her blue eyes.
“Later, bro.” Clara met him halfway. “Ready to go?” he asked.
“Yes.”